Bevan fears that if more teams fall into foreign hands, they could succeed in forcing through a vote to abolish relegation.

The LMA chief executive is hoping that can be prevented by the recent parliamentary inquiry into football goverance, which recommended the Football Association adopt a licencing system for clubs.

Speaking at the Professional Players Federation conference in London, Bevan said: "We're very keen that the recent DCMS report is successful in helping the FA get to a stage where they've got a licencing programme for clubs.

"Because there are a number of overseas-owned clubs already talking about bringing about the avoidance of promotion and relegation in the Premier League.